hurricane devastated Galveston. However the house, with its thick brick walls, managed to withstand the storm's winds and infamous storm surge, while serving as shelter to Brown's widow and children. In the storm's aftermath and grade raising of the city, its basement was filled in with sand, and the surrounding grounds were topped with two feet of soil. Recent The home was sold in 1927 to the El Mina Shrine masonic order. Making very little change to the building, the house served as their business offices and meeting hall until 1970, at which point it was put up for sale. Under the threat of demolition, the Galveston Historical Foundation raised $125,000 to purchase Ashton Villa. With additional funding from local foundations and the government, the process of restoring and refurnishing the historic house began. Much of the original furniture and art was able to be retrieved. On July 25, 1974, the Galveston Historical Foundation opened the property to the public to serve as a House Museum, visitors center, and a place for special functions. The first floor was submerged under more than 18 inches of water in 2008 during Hurricane Ike and was recently restored. The Villa is no longer open for public tours, but the first floor is available for private bookings. Ashton Villa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Galveston County, Texas Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks in Galveston County References External links 1859 establishments in Texas African-American cultural history African-American historic places Historic house museums in Texas History of Galveston, Texas Houses completed in 1859 Houses in Galveston, Texas Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Texas Italianate architecture in Texas Juneteenth Museums in Galveston, Texas National Register of Historic Places in Galveston County, Texas Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks Slavery in the United States Texas in the American Civil War Villas in the United States